- According to Obi, the President had initially stated he would be away for 14 days, but has now exceeded that timeframe.
Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has raised concerns about President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s simultaneous foreign trip, leaving many domestic issues unaddressed.
In a statement on Friday, Obi criticized the move on his X page, while citing lack of fiscal responsibility and common sense — considering widespread hunger and poverty in Nigeria.
He said that the President initially stated he would be away for 14 days but has exceeded that timeframe.
Obi noted that Tinubu should have returned earlier to tackle pressing problems.
Instead, the Vice President attended a 2-day working visit to Sweden, which Obi noted was inefficient, as traveling from Paris to Stockholm takes only two hours.
Obi emphasized that true leadership prioritizes people’s well-being and effective management of scarce resources to alleviate suffering.
He questioned the President’s decision, highlighting the significant distance and travel time difference between Abuja and Stockholm compared to Paris and Stockholm.
“While it is arguable that with the President and Vice President absent from the Villa, there is no vacancy in the Presidency, in a situation where both the President and Vice President are out of the country…it’s concerning for a country with such myriads of domestic problems,” he said.
“The President had told us he would only be gone for 14 days. The 14 days have passed now, and we are waiting to see him in the country.”
“One would have expected him to return earlier than expected, considering the volume of work that needs to be done in a troubled nation like ours.”
“The untold hardship…as a result of some of his administration’s policies is unimaginable and we need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation.”
“Since the President is reportedly in Paris, France, which is just about 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, Sweden, one wonders why he did not just attend the 2-day working visit to Sweden.”
“He could simply have done it on his way back from France with his new powerful jet, which would have taken him a little over 2 hours.”
“This would have saved time and scarce national resources…Instead, he delegated the Vice President, who needed to travel 3055 nautical miles, over nine hours.”
“This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty.”
“This is the time to show true and committed leadership to the people by making decisions that prioritize the well-being of the people and effective management of scarce resources in alleviating suffering.”